"Well," Bene murmurs, his gaze turning inward as he considers.

"...because some people worked for your forgiveness?" He looks to him with pensive caution. "And actually care a lot what you think of them?"

Whoof, this is hard to say aloud.

"If you forgive anyone no matter what, is your forgiveness even worth anything? Like." Self-consciously, he tucks a strand of hair behind one ear.

"Doesn't that just make you a doormat? Why would anyone bother trying to make it better if they knew it didn't matter either way?"